We consider redemption in different forms today. If you read nothing else today, please take the time to read Erika D. Smith’s column about a second chance for the homeless mother of Sivam Lekh. We hope you read more, such as why Jerry Brown should veto legislation backed by Planned Parenthood, Karin Klein’s column about Dr. Bob Sears, and, well, everything else in The Take today. But especially Erika’s column.

Taking a stand

Jerry Brown has lots to do in his dwindling time in office. Cement funding for high-speed rail, for one, and forge ahead with the California WaterFix, also known as the twin tunnels.

Premium content for only $0.99

In this campaign, he is fixated on fixing what he sees as a mistake from his first go-round as governor: set sentences for crimes, rather than the old indeterminate sentencing system.

In Proposition 57, Brown seeks to roll back determinate sentencing, and return to some extent to a system in which inmates who try to better themselves have a shot at reducing their sentence. Prosecutors and police are not pleased.

Unlike many issues, “nobody else was asking for this; nobody was knocking on my door.” He has spent $8.4 million from his campaign fund so far on the measure and has about $1 million in the bank.

The initiative would not have happened “if it wasn’t for that money and, if I may say, my Jesuit training, and being the son of my father,” Pat Brown’s son said. “This one is what I want to do and I think it’s very important, and I’m going to do everything I can do to pass it.”

L.A. Times: Yes on Proposition 67, a vote to stop profiteering from polluting the Golden State. The plastic bag industry’s arguments against a statewide plastic ban are weak, starting with the incredible claim – based on a few out-of-context findings in a British study – that single-use bags are actually good for the environment. They are not.

Take a step back in time

While the nation watched 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton be helped into a car Sunday, and later discovered she had been diagnosed with pneumonia, students of presidential campaign history may recall that 1960 GOP nominee Richard Nixon was hospitalized with a staph infection in his knee.

For two weeks, Nixon was off the trail, in the hospital, in a bed, in his PJs, as this YouTube video shows. There was nary a peep about his health or fitness to be president.

The long hospital stay and infection most certainly didn’t help with his haggard appearance in the first televised presidential debate two weeks after his discharge, which was Sept. 26. After becoming wobbly on Sunday, Clinton was talking with Anderson Cooper on Monday.

Coincidentally, on Sept. 26, Clinton and Perfect Health Speciman and Dumpy Junk Food Aficionado Donald Trump will meet on stage for their first debate. Maybe Trump can share a taco bowl to help Clinton build up her stamina. It’d be a nice gesture. – Jack Ohman, @JACKOHMAN

Read Next

Changing the DMV’s leadership is a good step forward, but fixing its problems will be harder than replacing the names on the stationery. Gavin Newsom’s thoughts on the DMV are well-documented, giving voters a chance to hold him accountable for his handling of its problems.